Gravitational Potential Energy

• What is gravitational potential energy?

  Energy stored in an object due to its position above the Earth's surface
• Why does an object have gravitational potential energy?

  Because of the force of gravity acting on it at a height
• How is gravitational potential energy converted when an object falls?

  • Converted to thermal energy
  • Converted to kinetic energy
• What is the formula to calculate gravitational potential energy?

  Gravitational potential energy (J) = mass (kg) × gravitational field strength (N/kg) × height (m)
• What does the gravitational field strength measure?

  It measures the force of gravity acting on an object
• Are students provided with the gravitational potential energy equation in exams?

  No, students must learn it
• What steps are involved in calculating gravitational potential energy?

  1. Identify the mass of the object in kilograms
  2. Determine the gravitational field strength
  3. Measure the height in meters
  4. Use the formula: Gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height
• If a crane lifts a 75 kg mass to a height of 8 m, what is the gravitational potential energy gained?

  5,880 J
• How do you convert grams to kilograms for calculating gravitational potential energy?

  Divide the mass in grams by 1,000
• What is the gravitational potential energy gained by a ball with a mass of 500 g lifted to a height of 1.5 m?

  7.35 J